Danica Roem, First U.S. Openly Transgender State Legislator, Elected in Virginia

Virginians elected the first openly transgender state legislator in America on Tuesday night when Danica Roem (D) defeated Bob Marshall (R) in a House of Delegates race. Marshall, a 26-year incumbent who once introduced a so-called “bathroom bill,” ran as a social conservative. Roem’s fundraising numbers tripled those of Marshall, in part due to nationwide support from pro-LGBT groups. Her win was part of a Democratic wave across the state which led to the victory of Democrat Ralph Northam for the governorship.